Suicide and older adults
While older adults make up roughly 17% of the population, they constitute 22% of deaths by suicide. There are many reasons older adults might lean toward death: Poor health, chronic pain, loss of a spouse, loneliness, departure from working life, loss of independence, cognitive impairment. Warning signs. Any mention of wanting to die should […]
Is assisted living a good fit?
The original idea of “assisted living” was to give generally healthy elders a social option to offset the isolation of living alone. They were not intended to be medical facilities. But things have changed in the 40 years since inception! Now, 41% of residents have dementia or moderate-to-severe cognitive impairment. One out of ten […]
Hope: It’s not what you think
We all need hope. It motivates us to get up in the morning and get going on the day. It makes our burdens less tiring. It’s even been documented to reduce anxiety and depression while improving health and quality of life. Hope is not a blind conviction that everything will be okay. Hope […]
If the unexpected happens
As a family caregiver, you have probably thought a lot about your loved one’s safety. Perhaps you have even purchased a wearable call button for medical emergencies. But what if something happens to you? For instance, a car accident on the freeway? Or a trip-and-fall incident in a parking lot? How will emergency responders […]
How to choose a rollator
If the person you care for has generally good balance and needs just minimal support for getting around, a rollator (walker with wheels and brakes) might be preferable to a standard walker. Rollators enable a more normal, fluid stride. The features to consider start with size, weight, and foldability. If the rollator will be used […]
Money tips for low vision
The ability to handle one’s own financial affairs is critical to adult independence. Low vision challenges this freedom. Fortunately, most banks are prepared to assist clients, whether banking online or in person. Online, your loved one can adjust the bank’s website for large print. Plus, many banks provide instructions on how to use a […]
“I can’t get Dad to budge!”
Has your loved one ever flatly rejected your perfectly sensible solution to their problem? Though your idea may seem like the obvious route to take, it’s not so simple when you’re caring for an older adult. Your relative has had a lifetime of making decisions on their own. They usually want to continue doing so. […]
Add a dose of laughter to your life
Don’t you just somehow feel better when you laugh? It turns out, that’s not just fantasy. Laughter has physical and emotional health benefits. Studies show that laughter can support the heart. If we’re laughing, we’re not stressing. The stress hormones make chronic inflammation worse and threaten the heart. Laughter stimulates your heart and lungs […]
“Going home tomorrow?!”
When your loved one is hospitalized, getting word of discharge “soon” can be heartening: Yay! Improvement! And it also can be distressing. Many aspects of care may drop into your hands. Mobility, incontinence, wound care, oxygen…. And you may not have the needed help lined up. Good news: There are options. Tell the doctor […]
Signs of chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation occurs when the immune system doesn’t shut down properly. Instead, it attacks the body. This can last for months, even years. It’s like a persistent internal war. It puts the body under tremendous stress. There is growing evidence that chronic inflammation is involved with a number of problems common in aging. These include […]